HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-19 HELCO Contingency Plans amid Puna Eruption -- press release
CONTACT: Rhea Lee-Moku, 808.969.0273 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
rhea.lee-moku@hawaiielectriclight.com
i Electric Light develops contingency plans
to continue to serve customers in lower Puna
HILO, May 19, 2018 is developing contingency plans to provide options
for restoring electricity to communities in lower Puna that may be cut off by lava flows.
With lava moving more quickly over the past 48 hours, engineers were working near affected
areas on Saturday to identify suitable locations for portable generators and other equipment.
i Electric Light and Hawaiian Electric have been
analyzing possible scenarios and creating plans that can help power critical infrastructure, such
as -Moku. everal plans that
can be implemented to provide short-term solutions. Work on long-term solutions will continue
and will be dependent on the impact of the lava and other seismic activity in this area, as well as
guidance from Civil Defense authorities
Plans include using traditional power systems such as large capacity diesel generators as well
as portable solar-battery-generator units. Options also include the use of steel poles that are
able to span lava flows and temporarily connect to undamaged distribution lines.
Light has created a page on its website for the latest information for customers
affected by the eruption and for those who may have questions about billing and service during
the emergency: https://www.hawaiielectriclight.com/lava. Updates also are available on the
Twitter (@HIElectricLight) and Facebook (HawaiianElectric) accounts.
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